Genetic immunization with Ehrlichia ruminantium GroEL and GroES homologues.

Ehrlichia ruminantium GroEL and GroES genes were amplified from E. ruminantium Welgevonden genomic DNA and were cloned into genetic vaccine and Salmonella expression vectors. These constructs were used to inoculate Balb/c and C57BL/6J mice. Both GroEL and GroES induced low levels of protection in Balb/c and C57BL/6J mice immunized with the Salmonella expression vectors. None of the mice inoculated with the genetic vaccine survived. Immunological memory was also tested in these mice and a correlation between splenocyte proliferation and the survival rate was observed.